Court Sentences Fake Native Doctor ‘Onyeze Jesus’ to Six Years in Prison, Imposes ?20 Million Fine

An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has sentenced controversial self-acclaimed native doctor, Onyebuchi Okocha, popularly known as Onyeze Jesus, to six years imprisonment and imposed a ?20 million fine after finding him guilty of promoting wealth through supernatural means.

Justice Jude Obiora delivered the judgment on Thursday, July 17, after the defendant spent about one year and six months in detention over allegations bordering on fraudulent spiritual practices in violation of Section 18 of the Anambra State Homeland Security Laws.

Onyeze Jesus was arraigned on a three-count charge, including promoting wealth creation through supernatural means on his social media platforms, operating alleged Oke-Ite spiritual practices, and engaging in money-doubling schemes.

In his judgment, Justice Obiora dismissed the second and third counts, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish allegations relating to ritual murder and money doubling due to insufficient evidence and the absence of witnesses who claimed to have benefited from the alleged practices.

However, the court upheld the first charge after finding that the defendant had admitted being the individual featured in viral videos and acknowledged ownership of the social media accounts used to promote claims that wealth could be acquired through supernatural powers rather than lawful means.

Consequently, the court sentenced him to six years imprisonment and imposed a ?20 million fine.

Shortly after the judgment was delivered, Onyeze Jesus broke down in tears and pleaded with the court for leniency.

He told the court it was his first criminal offence and appealed for mercy, saying he had been in custody since February of the previous year.

The convict also claimed he had lost contact with his wife and twin children during his detention and lamented that three widows who depended on him for support had died because there was no one to care for them.

Despite his emotional appeal, the court upheld the sentence, bringing the high-profile case to a close.